What electronics should I have for my boat?

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Nosealegsyet

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Just purchased a Quicksilver 555 cabin, it won't come with electronics. So im purchasing them separate, I think there is room for a 7 inch plotter, if so which would should I buy? I won't be going out to sea too far that's for sure, and next year she will be moored in the Mar Menor in Spain. This year it will be Shoreham, and my driveway.VHF Radio, which type , and when I go to Spain, will it work over there, I don't have my VHF licence for UK, and my Powerboat 1 and 2.I think I would like to do what depth the water was as well. Thanks for your advice.Karen
 
You need a "Marine Short Range" radio operators licence as well as a radio licence. There's an exam for the operators licence. Many seem to believe both are "optional", but I hear some jurisdictions are strict on complience.
 
Nosealegsyet said:
Ive done the exam, and they said thats all i needed to do ?
Click to expand...

No, you need the radio licence as well. I beleieve it's free, but I could be wrong. Anyway it was only £25 or so when I bought mine, and it lasts for the lifetime of the boat.

OFCOM

I suggest you read up on MMSI as well. The MMSI is broadcast by the radio with voice calls, and can give rescue services the vessel ID and position.

MMSI
 
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To be clear the Ship's licence is for the radio fitted to the boat. Ofcom license marine radio in the UK, it's done online and it's simple and free.
Start here: Ofcom Licensing services
If you also have a separate handheld VHF you can add it to the Ship's licence.

If you're keeping a UK registered boat in Spain the UK license will probably be fine but until Br**it is done and dusted we won't know for sure.

The exam you did is for the VHF Short Range Certificate which is the Operator's license.
 
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Garmin / Raymarine / Simrad / Lowrance - all established brands - i am sure there others.

My impression is none of it is bad - but it is built to different price points, and works in different ways. Personally i think touch screen is great in the store / marina - bur less good in when at sea in a smaller boat. It might be worth a trip to a larger chandlers to see which ones you like.

You may find you want to explore new places and the plotter should show you HW & LW times which is often very handy in the UK for reaching your fave waterside restaurant / pub / cove .

The plotter and radio should be connected so that if you press the 'distress' button on the VHF , it sends your exact location .

I would also talk to the person who you are using to fit it - as they can advise you on your options, and will probably have one or two preferred suppliers, and might be able to get you a good rate.
 
Your VHF radio will work in Spain. Channel 9 is your friend for marinas. When you did the training course did they give you a certificate of any kind? Radio wise - I would be happy in and around the mar menor area with just a good DSC VHF hand held tied to the boat with a length of bungy cord - however looking at the prices may as well get a built in one for the extra range. Might have to mount the aerial on the bimini frame to prevent people using it as a hand hold and snapping it.
To get the license for your specific boat go to the OFCOM website and apply for an MMSI number for the radio as well.
You will need the radios serial number and make/model. I think you need the boat registration number too, So you will need to get that arranged first - ask the boat dealer if it's not already in hand. I think you can do SSR (small ships registry) yourself on-line, which is all you will need in Spain.
If you decide to get a chart plotter, make sure you get the electronic chart for the Spanish Costa Blanca coast or bigger. Otherwise it won't work very well at all. I like SIMRAD, Lowrance and Garmin. Not a fan of Raymarine - but they all work well. Could be some good deals around at the moment.
Make sure you tell the insurance company when you take the boat from the UK to Spain as well. They will send you the policy in Spanish and they will need to know where you are going to keep it.
A good pilot guide for the spanish costas is really useful too. Tells you how to approach and get in/out of the various harbours etc easily.
 
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kashurst said:
Your VHF radio will work in Spain. Channel 9 is your friend for marinas. When you did the training course did they give you a certificate of any kind? Radio wise - I would be happy in and around the mar menor area with just a good DSC VHF hand held tied to the boat with a length of bungy cord - however looking at the prices may as well get a built in one for the extra range. Might have to mount the aerial on the bimini frame to prevent people using it as a hand hold and snapping it.
To get the license for your specific boat go to the OFCOM website and apply for an MMSI number for the radio as well.
You will need the radios serial number and make/model. I think you need the boat registration number too, So you will need to get that arranged first - ask the boat dealer if it's not already in hand. I think you can do SSR (small ships registry) yourself on-line, which is all you will need in Spain.
If you decide to get a chart plotter, make sure you get the electronic chart for the Spanish Costa Blanca coast or bigger. Otherwise it won't work very well at all. I like SIMRAD, Lowrance and Garmin. Not a fan of Raymarine - but they all work well. Could be some good deals around at the moment.
Make sure you tell the insurance company when you take the boat from the UK to Spain as well. They will send you the policy in Spanish and they will need to know where you are going to keep it.
A good pilot guide for the spanish costas is really useful too. Tells you how to approach and get in/out of the various harbours etc easily.
Click to expand...
great advice thanks a million
 
DazzyWoo said:
Garmin / Raymarine / Simrad / Lowrance - all established brands - i am sure there others.

My impression is none of it is bad - but it is built to different price points, and works in different ways. Personally i think touch screen is great in the store / marina - bur less good in when at sea in a smaller boat. It might be worth a trip to a larger chandlers to see which ones you like.

You may find you want to explore new places and the plotter should show you HW & LW times which is often very handy in the UK for reaching your fave waterside restaurant / pub / cove .

The plotter and radio should be connected so that if you press the 'distress' button on the VHF , it sends your exact location .

I would also talk to the person who you are using to fit it - as they can advise you on your options, and will probably have one or two preferred suppliers, and might be able to get you a good rate.
Click to expand...
thanks dazzywoo that's great, I will do that
Scala said:
To be clear the Ship's licence is for the radio fitted to the boat. Ofcom license marine radio in the UK, it's done online and it's simple and free.
Start here: Ofcom Licensing services
If you also have a separate handheld VHF you can add it to the Ship's licence.

If you're keeping a UK registered boat in Spain the UK license will probably be fine but until Br**it is done and dusted we won't know for sure.

The exam you did is for the VHF Short Range Certificate which is the Operator's license.
Click to expand...
kashurst said:
Your VHF radio will work in Spain. Channel 9 is your friend for marinas. When you did the training course did they give you a certificate of any kind? Radio wise - I would be happy in and around the mar menor area with just a good DSC VHF hand held tied to the boat with a length of bungy cord - however looking at the prices may as well get a built in one for the extra range. Might have to mount the aerial on the bimini frame to prevent people using it as a hand hold and snapping it.
To get the license for your specific boat go to the OFCOM website and apply for an MMSI number for the radio as well.
You will need the radios serial number and make/model. I think you need the boat registration number too, So you will need to get that arranged first - ask the boat dealer if it's not already in hand. I think you can do SSR (small ships registry) yourself on-line, which is all you will need in Spain.
If you decide to get a chart plotter, make sure you get the electronic chart for the Spanish Costa Blanca coast or bigger. Otherwise it won't work very well at all. I like SIMRAD, Lowrance and Garmin. Not a fan of Raymarine - but they all work well. Could be some good deals around at the moment.
Make sure you tell the insurance company when you take the boat from the UK to Spain as well. They will send you the policy in Spanish and they will need to know where you are going to keep it.
A good pilot guide for the spanish costas is really useful too. Tells you how to approach and get in/out of the various harbours etc easily.
Click to expand...
yes I got a certificate, its an A6 two page booklet, with my phone in and stuff
 
FARSCO said:
Simrad:
SIMRAD GO7 XSR - Multifunction Radar Chartplotter - With 3in1 Transducer - 000-14839-001

SIMRAD RS12 - Marine VHF Radio - DSC & NMEA2000 - 000-10787-001

good kit. Garmin is also excellent. I would get some advice though and have it fitted professionally.
Click to expand...
I got these today from Simpson Marine, but I didn't get the touch screen version I figured if your hands were wet it would become a pain. Also decided to opt out the traditional stereo system, and bought a floating speaker instead, as the kids already have there music on the iPhone etc, and Simpson Marine is going to install me a twin usb charger, to keep the speaker and iPhones charged. Job done. Great lads at Simpson Marine.
 
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